CONCORD – House Republican Leader Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett) and House Republican Policy Leader Rep. Laurie Sanborn (R-Bedford) today offered the following statements on a bill to increase the beer tax. The bill was defeated 308 to 35.

House Republican Leader Gene Chandler

“New Hampshire’s beer tax is already the second highest in New England. This bill would have raised it to among the highest in the nation. We are pleased Republicans were able to kill this bill to help New Hampshire’s breweries like Moat Mountain, Smuttynose and Tuckerman’s, which currently employ hundreds of Granite Staters.”

House Republican Policy Leader Laurie Sanborn

“It is important that we stand firm in opposing this tax, or any other tax or fee that is increased on the backs of our businesses and citizens. With our economy so fragile and people taking home less in their paychecks, now is certainly not the time for state government to be taking more of their hard earned money.”

“Our goal should be working to create legislation that improves the business climate of our state and helps to bolster new and emerging businesses such as the microbrewery industry. A 33% increase of the beer tax doesn’t help to achieve this goal, and is bad for businesses and consumers.”